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Board approves contract plans for PIE Center

Posted
Friday, November 10, 2017 10:14 am

By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG

The Bradley County Board of Education recently eyed a couple of tantalizing pieces of the PIE Center.

The board on Thursday voted to approve a new sample lease agreement, as well as a contract for an architect working on the Partnerships in Industry and Education Innovation Center, as it is formally called.

Bradley County Schools is in the process of transforming the old American Uniform manufacturing facility on Parker Street into a space where schools and companies can partner to teach students job skills.

Dr. Linda Cash, director of the Bradley County Schools, recommended the board approve a lease for a parcel of land across the street from the PIE Center. This is a fenced-in area between Ocoee Middle School's track and a BP gas station.

Board Vice Chairman Jerry Frazier said he liked the idea of leasing out the parcel, but he also raised concerns that it may need to be used in the future.

Kyle Page, principal of GOAL Academy and project manager for the PIE Center, said it will not be a problem.

"We do have a very interested party in going in and leasing the lot," said Page. "We are currently looking at 12-month increments, to not tie us into a longterm lease."

The board voted to approve the measure. It also voted to enter into a formal contract with David Hudson of Artech Design Group, one of the architects working on the PIE Center.

Both actions were approved unanimously, with all seven board members present.

Ron Spangler, principal of Ocoee Middle School, also spoke to the board about a possible agreement which will involve his school, one that's just steps away from the PIE Center.

Years ago, the school partnered with Lee University to revamp its baseball facility. The university funded improvements to the middle school's baseball facility, an agreement which meant both institutions would have a nice facility to use — Olympic Field.

Spangler said he is talking with Lee University officials about doing something similar for Ocoee Middle's track, as the university has a NCAA Division II track team but no track of its own.

"It is a win-win for both of us," said Spangler.

A proposed contract with Lee University is expected to be presented during the board's next work session Dec. 12.